What Do Female Footballers Do When They Get Pregnant?

A life-changing moment: now what?

Pregnancy changes everything — and when you're a professional athlete, it can get extra complicated. For female footballers, finding out they're pregnant mid-season or during training camp can bring a whirlwind of emotions, medical decisions, and career questions.

It’s not just “take a break and come back later.” There’s a whole structure (or sometimes… the lack of one) that determines how they handle pregnancy — physically, emotionally, and contractually.

Do they stop playing immediately?

Depends on the timing — and the body

Some continue to train lightly during early pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, with their doctor’s green light. But full-contact football? Nope. Not safe for mom or baby. Most players step away as soon as they confirm the pregnancy.

• First trimester: light cardio, gym work

• Second trimester: often full break from play

• Third trimester: full rest and prep for childbirth

Oh — and it’s not just about the belly. It’s about balance, muscle strain, hormones like relaxin (which makes joints looser — risky for injuries), and heart rate regulation.

Club protocols? Still catching up

Not every club has formal procedures. In 2021, FIFA finally introduced new maternity rules requiring a minimum of 14 weeks paid maternity leave for contracted players — with at least 8 weeks post-birth. Before that? Some players literally lost their contracts. Yup. Fired for being pregnant.

How do they train during pregnancy?

Custom training plans

Elite athletes are often surrounded by specialists: physiotherapists, pregnancy fitness coaches, nutritionists. They’ll build a tailored low-impact training plan — focusing on mobility, core stability, and mental prep.

But here’s the kicker: some players actually feel stronger mentally during pregnancy. Maybe it’s hormones, maybe it’s purpose, maybe both.

Real-life example: Alex Morgan

USWNT star Alex Morgan trained gently while pregnant and gave birth in 2020. Just 3 months later (madness!), she was back in training with Tottenham Hotspur.

She said in an interview:

“It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either. It made me mentally sharper.”

What about after the baby is born?

Return to play: not one-size-fits-all

Some return after 3–6 months, others take a full year. There’s no gold standard. It depends on the birth experience, recovery time, and support system.

The challenges? Oh man — sleep deprivation, breastfeeding logistics, regaining core strength, managing injuries… and juggling diapers with training schedules. Total respect.

Support structures (or lack thereof)

Clubs with good maternity policies offer:

• Childcare help

• Flexible training hours

• Travel accommodations (nursing rooms, family travel funding)

Others? Not so much. Some players literally bring their babies to team buses, with a babysitter they pay out of pocket.

Emotional toll and identity shift

It’s not just physical. Athletes often feel torn — between their identity as a mother and as a competitor. There’s also pressure from fans, sponsors, media — “When are you coming back?” or worse, “Will you ever be as good?”

And let’s be real: some don’t come back. Not because they don’t want to, but because the system isn't built to support them properly.

Still, there’s a growing tribe of players — moms like Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (who won a lawsuit against Lyon for unpaid maternity wages), Alex Morgan, or Jessica McDonald — showing it’s possible to return stronger.

Final thoughts: career killer or comeback chapter?

Pregnancy doesn’t end a football career. But it does force a pause — one that can either break or rebuild a player depending on her support network, club policies, and own resilience.

And slowly, the sport is changing. The next generation? They’ll hopefully have it easier.
Until then — hats off to every female footballer who juggles babies, boots, and brutal recovery sessions. They’re rewriting the rules. One goal — and diaper — at a time.

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